A Fort Lauderdale snorkeling tour is a fantastic way to explore the vibrant marine life that inhabits the area’s clear waters. The city is home to several great snorkeling spots, including Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach. These areas offer a variety of reef formations, coral gardens, and underwater habitats that are teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other fascinating marine creatures. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, Fort Lauderdale’s warm waters and diverse marine life make it an ideal destination for underwater exploration.
Preparing for Your Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tour
- Scrub Your Mask. While we maintain our own equipment, if you bought your own mask, it’s important that you gently scrub the inside film off with toothpaste. If you don’t do this step, your mask will be more likely to fog up.
- Know Your Limits. Swimming in the ocean isn’t the same as diving at your local pool. Don’t stray too far from the group or over-exert yourself. Snorkeling is best done when you are calmly wading at the surface and observing the seafloor below.
- Breathe. If it’s your first time snorkeling, practice proper breathing before heading out. Practice taking long and deep breaths. These will help you stay relaxed and conserve energy, allowing you to stay out for a more extended period.
- Use a Dive Flag. Our provided dive flag is a simple safety device to let other boaters know to steer clear. If you are snorkeling as a group, make sure you are in the vicinity of the flag.
- Don’t Disturb Nature. While looking for a great Fort Lauderdale snorkeling spot, you will undoubtedly encounter coral and other marine life. It’s vital that you do not disturb the coral as they are essential to the ecosystem’s survival. Similarly, do not attempt to interfere with any fish you find.
Visit The Best Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Spots
Whether on our yacht charter or private sailboat charter, there is no shortage of unique snorkeling spots in the area. South Florida sits at the northern tip of the Florida Reef, the third-largest barrier reef in the entire world. These reefs are a hotspot for biodiversity and house over 6000 different species of marine life. In addition to the abundance of natural reefs, the area holds many shipwrecks and manmade sights to view during your ocean adventure. For those who want to squeeze in as many sights as possible, we’ll happily take you to multiple Fort Lauderdale snorkeling sites in a single outing. These trips can be a great component of a Fort Lauderdale bachelorette party or the prelude to a romantic dinner cruise.
Vista Park Reef
A lesser-known gem of the Fort Lauderdale reefs. This area can shortly be reached after a Fort Lauderdale river cruise as the river empties directly into the ocean. The site is not as highly visited as some other locations mentioned, allowing for a more personal experience. Like many other locations, there is a dazzling array of vibrant corals, fish, and lobster on the reef. This reef is about 11-16 feet deep.
by-the-Sea
Snorkeling at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea provides an excellent opportunity to see one of the numerous Fort Lauderdale coral reefs. The reefs in this area are much closer to the shore than other reefs, allowing for a relatively short trip to start your snorkeling adventure. This dive is about 12-15 feet deep.
Twin Ledges
As the name implies, this Fort Lauderdale snorkeling spot consists of two narrow reefs running parallel to one another and the shoreline. The bottom of the Twin Ledges ranges from 10-20 feet deep. Plenty of eye-catching sea fans and fish dot the seafloor in this area.
Oakland Ridges
Not too far from Vista Park Reef is Oakland Ridges. It’s a similar depth at about 11-16 feet deep. As with the other reefs in Fort Lauderdale, this is an easy reef to navigate where you can just drift at the top of the waters and observe the colorful undersea life.
Advanced Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Sights
Drifting atop the water and admiring the world below is a great way to experience your Fort Lauderdale snorkeling tour. However, for those who want to experience a little more adventure with their Fort Lauderdale snorkeling excursion, more advanced locations are rife with technical routes and deeper dives.
Barracuda Reef
Located about half a mile away from shore, the Fort Lauderdale Barracuda Reef has no shortage of things to see. Visibility is generally really good in the area and allows you to see the towering coral and abundance of marine life. This dive is typically 20-30 feet.
SS Copenhagen
The SS Copenhagen is one of the most popular dive spots in Florida. A 325-foot long steamer built in 1898 in England got stuck in the reef while on a trip to Cuba in 1900. Now sitting on the ocean floor, the SS Copenhagen functions as an artificial reef that is a joy to explore. The wreck is in relatively shallow waters, 20-30 feet deep.
Our Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Fleet
We want to make our outings with you as customizable as possible. That’s why we maintain a variety of vessels in our fleet to best accommodate your party. If you have any questions about the capabilities of our yachts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Fairline
The Fairline Targa 48 stands out as the preferred choice within our extensive fleet of boats. This yacht, crafted by the esteemed British brand Fairline, seamlessly combines cutting-edge technology with opulent comfort. The open-air cockpit provides plenty of opportunities to relish the crisp sea breeze and give you unobstructed views of the horizon.
Step aboard this magnificent vessel to discover a host of enticing amenities, including ample seating arrangements, sun pads strategically placed on both the bow and stern, an ice maker, a fridge, and two dedicated coolers. The cabin of the yacht features three spacious bedrooms, two elegantly appointed bathrooms, and a sprawling entertainment area.
Sea Ray
The Sea Ray 480 Sedan Bridge stands among the largest vessels in our fleet, offering an exceptional cruising experience. Upon entering through a sliding glass door, you step into a spacious, air-conditioned cabin featuring a dinette, a fully-equipped entertainment center, three staterooms, and two heads. The wraparound windows in the cabin provide panoramic views, allowing you to appreciate ocean views even when you’re taking a break inside.
The Sea Ray offers ample exterior space, highlighted by a sizable stern and numerous lounging areas on the bow—perfect for those seeking a serene spot to enjoy breathtaking views accompanied by a gentle breeze. Getting on and off the vessel is super easy thanks to the integrated swim platform that can raise and lower a portion of the stern, no need to deal with ascending ladders.
Fountaine Pajot
Embark on a stylish snorkeling trip aboard our expansive Fountaine Pajot, a nearly 60-foot French catamaran. Revel in the liberty to stand anywhere on the vast exterior, adorned with scattered lounge beds and a capacious dining table at the stern, offering a picturesque waterfront view. Upon entering, you’ll encounter a spacious living area, ideal for unwinding while still savoring the surrounding vistas.
Furnished with a comfortable couch, a TV, and a galley equipped with a full-size fridge, it ensures your snacks and drinks remain refreshingly chilled. After an extensive day snorkeling the reefs, there’s no better place to relax. Descend on either side of the living area to access five bedrooms and bathrooms, providing ample space for you and your guests. Low transoms make getting on and off the boat an easier task.
